Dear @QuasiQuadrant where do you live because i am awed by your world. You rock lady!
I tried making vessels and quickly discovered cement cracks when heated. I researched a bit and found its a recurring issue with cement vessels. I have been researching some hybrids to try in its place.@msunnerstood your magnets are very cute! I was shopping at a holiday market this past weekend and met a candle maker who made all of her vessels out of cement. They were so pretty and the smooth ones had such a lovely feel.
I didn't buy one of her candles, so I can't test for myself. She is very nice so I hope she is aware and has figured it out.I tried making vessels and quickly discovered cement cracks when heated. I researched a bit and found its a recurring issue with cement vessels. I have been researching some hybrids to try in its place.
I too hate useless garbage generated for no reason. So I always try to find uses for things. Unfortunately it means I have a huge pile of things that are actually garbage LOLI have been wanting to do some work with concrete, actually. Related, I despise styrofoam, and despise throwing it out even more....this stuff should be banned outright. I am constantly finding it in my little cove, picking up everything from chunks of this %$#! to tiny bits & pieces which the birds, seals, fish & whales eat. It's especially bad after a windstorm, when all sorts of garbage blows in on the waters.
So I have been thinking, after opening yet another box of furniture (I have been redoing my home) with - you guessed it - styrofoam inside & cussing up a storm....what can I do with this rubbish?
Well, I have been studying alternative building materials & methods over the past 4 years - NOT million dollar earthships - and decided to search the term STYROCRETE....lo and behold, somebody has come up with a way to use styrofoam in concrete as a strong, fireproof, low-cost building material. Super low-cost.
So, I have now begun saving this man-made abomination and will be using it next year when my granddaughter comes down to visit. I told her this is a project we are going to work on, outside of kayaking, wild foraging & bushwhacking and she is thrilled. We will be making outdoor planters & garden bed enclosures, along with some sculptures, to begin with. This will make it possible for me to physically move garden bed enclosures very easily, by myself, on demand, as this material is lighter weight than 100% concrete but still heavy enough to remain stable & in-place. The concrete & styrofoam makes a material that is very resistant to weather as well, which is a huge plus out here, yet weighty enough that it's not going to blow away. It also won't rot like wood, and prevents unnecessarily using lumber, which has a positive impact in terms of using less trees for this purpose. I have also seen people making entire homes & other outdoor structures out of this material. This is exciting stuff, for me anyways.
I love having a granddaughter who is as open as I am to getting as filthy as I wanna be
I too hate useless garbage generated for no reason. So I always try to find uses for things. Unfortunately it means I have a huge pile of things that are actually garbage LOL
anyway, I have a book called I think it's called foam craft but I can't find a title online. The woman who wrote it is actually very creative she even made a working Fountain from styrofoam. I think she covers it with cement? I don't know I wish I could find the book LOL but it's in storage somewhere. I made styrofoam planters, but they only had fake Ivy in them. If you were to plant real things you would need some sort of liner. I covered them with sheetrock mud they were on the porch and didn't get wet. It's a lot of fun. I have also made indoor window valances covered with fabric. White glue and toothpicks will hold them together very securely.
lol. Here are the instructions How to Make a Hypertufa Pot
I love hobbies. The ability to create something from raw materials is so satisfying.
Dear @QuasiQuadrant where do you live because i am awed by your world. You rock lady!
These words came at the most right time in my life right now because this is how i am feeling and living. Thank you
Possibly related... I found myself balancing on the edge of a rabbit hole this weekend, when I found a guy from Arizona who posts videos about how to find 'wild clay,' just walk around, find likely clay-rich soil, refine it, and make pottery from it!
I haven't seen this website come up in this thread regarding cement crafting. Made by Barb has some great ideas and information regarding working with cement. It's where I got the inspiration for my price card stands. She also has videos on YouTube. Here's a fun one:
Cement will crack when heated. I had the same thought and tried it. I had melted wax all over the place. Did some googling and found many others who had the same issue.Lately I have been wanting to try cement candle containers. Just started making 3in soy candles with eco 6 wicks. Seemed like a more hands on and cheaper method of obtaining containers to pour in.
I haven't seen this website come up in this thread regarding cement crafting. Made by Barb has some great ideas and information regarding working with cement. It's where I got the inspiration for my price card stands. She also has videos on YouTube. Here's a fun one:
I'd love to see what you come up with.I love this idea!
Cement will crack when heated. I had the same thought and tried it. I had melted wax all over the place. Did some googling and found many others who had the same issue.
I have, however seen some cement alternatives for vessels like hydrostone.
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